After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, significant change occurred in how the nation prepares for catastrophic events. After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, further changes occurred in the emergency management paradigm.

For this assignment, write a minimum 5–6 page paper on whether you believe FEMA should remain under DHS, or once again be a Cabinet level agency that reports directly to the President of the United States. Special attention should be given to which organizational structure will allow FEMA to be the most successful in their mission.

Tasks:

Describe the history, successes, and failures of both FEMA and DHS

Discuss how both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina changed FEMA

Make an argument for whether you believe FEMA should remain under DHS or be a Cabinet level agency again.